Books
All the references that I have read (and found useful) are listed over here. Click on the images to take you to amazon directly if you want to
This, I believe is one of the best business books written. Jim Collins has researched a group of companies whose stock price performed exceptionally better than comparative companies in the same sector. The argument being that external factors are common in sectors, so what makes some companies more successful than others?
The next iteration from Jim Collins which is based on 9 years of research, backed by rigorous analysis and infused with engaging stories, Collins and his colleague, Morten Hansen, enumerate the principles for building a truly great enterprise in unpredictable, tumultuous, and fast-moving times.
However, dont read this book unless you have completely embedded the 'Good to Great' principles in your day to day living
NEVER SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE - Chris Voss
Take this one with a pinch of salt, however this is a great book in understanding negotiating techniques. Written by Chris Voss who is a former FBI hostage negotiator, and now a consultant for some of the top organisations in the world. Its engaging as he uses examples of real life life and death experiences and relates that to human behaviours.
Read this book before trying out anything new. Alberto Savoia was googles first engineering director, he then left google, had some successes in his own ventures and then some spectacular failures. He then went back to Google where he studied failure and came up with how to test a new hypothesis fast and cheaply
FULL STEAM AHEAD - Ken Blanchard and Jesse Lyn Stoner
Its a light read, written as a story - but underlying message is very strong. Its about vision setting and mission statements. Easy to read and implement, it shows how important it is to have a vision before you embark on doing anything
Simon Sinek is one of my favourite speakers and writers. He speaks eloquently regarding leadership and teams. In this book, he shows that before we do anything (in business context, it means before we start a business, or a new product line etc), ask why are we doing it. Basically first answer Why, then how and finally what.
Read the book - he puts it much better than what I have done.
THE CHIMP PARADOX - Prof Steve Peters
This is a very good book on psychology and if you are new to the topic, its a great place to start. It explains in a juvenile way how your mind works and helps you understand your thought process. Prof Steve Peters explains it in such a way that you don't need any pre-existing knowledge on psychology. However after you read this, you will be able to label your thoughts and feelings and navigate human connections much better.
ALCHEMY - Rory Sutherland
This book talks about how logic is not always the correct way forward. it might sound counter intuitive, but logical solutions don't always work and many a times are not what the customer wants. He explains logic v/s Psycho-logic. The latter one purely derived from human behaviour. Definitely one of my most favourite books.